Read in German · with English
Read General Physiology in German, with English beside it
Original title: Allgemeine Physiologie
by Max Verworn · 1863–1921
Allgemeine Physiologie by Max Verworn is a scientific treatise written in the early 20th century. It presents a unified “general physiology” founded on cellular physiology, synthesizing comparative biology with chemical, physical, and methodological insights to explain life’s core processes, from metabolism and form-building to energetics, stimuli, and death. The opening of the work establishes its purpose: to provide an orienting map of physiology’s aims, methods, and problems while cautioning against narrow specialization. It defines physiology as the study of life and argues this requires a cellular focus, then shows how hard it is to distinguish living from nonliving with striking microscope examples (quiescent seeds, yeast versus milk fat droplets, and jittering crystals that mimic life), underscoring the need for clear criteria. It clarifies “explanation” as reduction to simpler elements, asks whether life can be treated within the mass–space–time framework, and raises the relation between bodily and mental phenomena. Finally, it begins a brisk historical survey from mythic animism and Greek philosophy through the Pneuma doctrine, Galen’s system and experiments, medieval stagnation, Renaissance anatomy and Harvey’s circulation, to Bacon, Descartes, van Helmont, and Borelli, where the excerpt pauses.
Summary generated automatically by Project Gutenberg.
- Read time
- 1335 min
- Words
- 293,607
- Chapters
- 30
- Paragraphs
- 5,069
- Price
- Free
- Physiology, Comparative
[Illustration: Fig. 76.
[Illustration: Fig. 76.
+Kieselskelette+ von Radiolarien nach ~Haeckel~.
+Silica skeletons+ of radiolarians after ~Haeckel_.
A +Dorataspis+.
A +Dorataspis_.
B +Theoconus+.]
B +Theoconus_.]
About the author
Max Verworn1863–1921
Max Verworn was a German physiologist born in Berlin in 1863 and died in Bonn in 1921.
The Max Verworn page, and where to start →Questions about General Physiology
Can I read General Physiology in German with English side by side online?
Yes, free. Paralelo shows the German original with a English machine translation beside it, aligned phrase by phrase: hover or tap a phrase and its counterpart lights up in the other column. Anyone can read a passage; a free account opens the whole book.
What level do I need to read General Physiology here?
There is no set level. General Physiology runs to 293,607 words in 30 chapters, and the translation sits beside it, aligned phrase by phrase, so you can start below the level the original would need on its own and lean on the translation only where you stumble.
Is General Physiology really free to read?
Yes. The text is in the public domain, and the translation and alignment are ours to give. A free account opens the whole book; the paid tier is for unlimited explanations.
Can I read General Physiology in another language?
Not yet. Each language is its own translation and alignment run, and titles are queued by demand: open the book in that language and press “Ask for priority” to move it up the queue.
How long does General Physiology take to read?
About 22 hours at a normal pace, longer if you stop to look at the alignment, which is rather the point.
Book details
- Original language
- German
- Translation
- English, machine translation
- Source text
- Project Gutenberg #78079
- Licence
- Public domain worldwide
More originally in GermanSame language, same shelf
Start General Physiology today.
Free forever, no card. The whole library opens with an account.
Start reading, it's free